April Is in My Mistress' Face

Thomas Morley was a person one can't help but respect, especially if that one is a musician. In an attempt to make their living by writing music many choose the path of the least resistance and compose what is demanded – needless to say, it usually means simplyfying things much. Morley, over against, had managed to create accessible and genuinely loved compositions – mainly madrigals, – which were distinguished by sophisticated counterpoint – a notable fusion of technique and depth without sacrificing any of them.

Morley's works were created more than five hundred years ago – he was born in 1557 and died in 1602, – but they sound refreshing even today, and I believe this quality is very rare to find. Last but not least, his music is so pacifying it could almost be considered a stress-reliever, and a very effective one at that. Here is Morley's April Is in My Mistress' Face – enjoy!

I Puritani. Ah! Per sempre by Bellini

Just a few hours earlier I had a conversation about role of the melody in music in general and in opera in particular. Many would agree it is hard to underestimate, but let's be honest: anyone seeking for exquisite melodies wouldn't most likely find a plenty in modern music. I remember a quote by Giacomo Puccini where he complained that people don't seek for good melodies in opera anymore and for that reason it is at death's door as a genre. All this discussion made me think about Vincenzo Bellini, an outstanding melodist of the early 19th century, whose works even now do not lose their luster – with his immense gift in composing vocal melodies he somewhat compensates for other composers' inattention. Download one of his arias here: I Puritani. Ah! Per sempre, for Voice and Piano.

Aria 'Dove Io Credea le Mie Speranze Vere'

Talking about rare sheet music, not so long ago particularly hard to find were the scores written by women – there just wasn't a lot of composers among them. Luckily, these days the situation changed, and one of those who we should be thankful for that I believe is Francesca Caccini. Not only she is one of the most highly-regarded female composers, in addition to being that (and also poet, singer, and lutinist), she as well have went down in history as the first woman ever to compose an opera (La liberazione di Ruggiero dall’isola di Alcina). Download one of her amazing arias (for piano and soprano) here: Aria 'Dove Io Credea le Mie Speranze Vere'.

My Country. Vltava by Bedřich Smetana

Comprising six symphonic poems, a set Má vlast by Czech composer Bedřich Smetana is quite interesting by itself: not many composers were working in a very form of symphonic poem – consider it more or less exclusive to its originator, Franz Liszt, – plus it is enriched by beloved to Smetana national Czech motifs. What stands out in this set, to my view, is the second poem – in this amazing composition Smetana did his best describing the course of the river Vltava by the means of music. If I were a flutist, I wouldn't pass by the following score: My Country. Vltava (The Moldau) – Flutes Parts, T.111 – even listening to this melody is an exceptional pleasure, and I'm almost jealous of those who will have a chance to play it! Below is a performance of a poem by Japanese musicians – very beautiful indeed.

J.S. Bach – Little Organ Book, No.40-45, Arrangement for Piano

One of the most important things a musician can do to progress faster is listen to a lot of diverse music and analyze it. Value of this can't be underestimated: if one doesn't limit him- or herself to a certain genre, it sparks both range of view and creativity. Of the same importance is trying different techniques of playing – it too makes one more versatile performer. In this behalf, arrangements may be immensely helpful – when one is playing a piece originally written for a different instrument it is a completely refreshing experience.

As concerns Johann Sebastian Bach's organ works, everything is great about them. However, one wanting to hear them in all their glory usually had to visit a nearby church. Yes, walking is good for health, but what to do with those who have to practice at home and don't have much spare time? Well, they didn't have much choice until August Stradal arranged Bach's Little Organ Book for solo piano. Selected works can be downloaded here: Little Organ Book, No.40-45. Arrangement for Piano, BWV 639-644 – enjoy!